Bitton lost out in the GFA Trophy final 3-1 to a well organised a hard working Brimscombe & Thrupp. Bitton were once again down to the bare bones with McClennan & Egan suspended and John & Ingram on holiday and never really produced the required perfomance to win the trophy.

The Hellenic league side started the game by far the better side and pinned Bitton back for long periods. Smith set up Pitt for the first chance of the match with a clever flick in the fourth minute, but his effort was comfortably saved by Jamie Powell.
Karl Nash caused real problems for the opposition defence with his robust approach and was lucky not to recieve a caution after giving away 7 fouls in the first half and even more lucky that none of the officials saw his deliberate elbow on Alex Grimshaw which could have warranted a straight Red.Nash set up a glorious chance for Ben Deakin in the eight minute, but it was well cleared off the line by Bitton captain Scott Brice. Brimscombe took a deserved lead in the 10th minute, Nash tried a shot from the edge of the box and the ball deflected off a B&T player straight to Smith who was clearly standing in an offside position but the linesman kept his flag down and Smith hooked the ball home to give them the lead. Bitton responded well and some good work for Dean Griffiths saw his cross volleyed towards goal by Reeko Best with Ashley Gale appearing to make a wonder stop with the fans in line with the goal claiming the ball had crossed the line. Pitt was denied by a save by Jamie Powell, but Smith did get their scond when he tried his luck from 25 yards with a well struck shot that Jamie Powell appeared to duck under as the ball entered the goal chest hight in the middle of the goal.Jordan Walker then hit the wall with a free kick as Bitton had a better spell. Just before the break Dean Griffiths gave Bitton a life line as he raced clear and finsihed well with his left foot. It was nearly an equaliser right on half time as Griffiths again set up Best but his shot was well blocked. B&T had dominated the opening period as Bitton struggled to get any possesion but the late goal had given them some hope.

HT-Bitton 1-2 Brimscombe & thrupp

If Brimscombe had had the better of the 1st period it was Bitton well on top at the start of the second as they created several good chances early on. Luke Bryan broke into the area on 48 minutes and with Best and Griffiths waiting for a tap in decided to fire the ball across the face of the 6 yard box and the ball went out for a throw. Gale then pulled off another save from Best as the Bitton wide man broke into the area but his shot was weak. Jordan Walker then had a glorious chance as he broke into the area but he somehow skewed his shot well wide of the post with the goal at his mercy. Brimscombe were now holidng on with Chris Greenough in commanding form as he stopped Griffiths from pulling the trigger after breaking into the area. Bitton chances were dealt a real blow on 65 minutes as Dean Griffiths was given his marching orders orders for a challenge on Kyle Pitts. Nash then wriggled free but couldnt get is shot away. Luke Bryan lifted a great chance over the bar from a good position for Bitton, but Smith nearly completed his hat-trick after a perfect first touch set him up, but it was saved. With Bitton pressing a good advantage from referee Darren McMillan allowed the lively Pitt to stroll through and wrap things up in the 86th minute despite looking offisde and seal the win for Brimscombe

FT-Bitton 1-3 Brimscombe & Thrupp

Star Man- Dan Hynes

Bitton are next in action on saturday 28th April when they travel to Brislington

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